Samford Administration Approves Vehicle Fee Recommendation

A new vehicle registration fee policy will be implemented at Samford University as part of the 2006-07 budget planning process, University officials have announced.

Expanded vehicle registration fee structures for students and employees were recommended by a University-wide study committee last spring and tentatively approved by University administrators in early October. Previously, only students were required to pay the fee. Under the plan, faculty, administration, staff and contract employees all will be required to pay the fee.

Revenue from vehicle registration will be dedicated to parking maintenance and enhancement, based on the committee's recommendation. Actual rates will be determined early in 2006 as part of the budget and fee planning process for the 2006-07 academic and fiscal year that begins June 1.

"A campus-wide committee, working with Provost (J. Bradley) Creed, recommended a fee policy that involves all," said Samford President Thomas E. Corts. "But, the study committee presented this recommendation with strong supporting documentation and asking that the revenue be dedicated to parking enhancements."

The fee structure was one of 15 recommendations presented by the 11-member committee, which included student, faculty and staff representatives. Jean Thomason, director of the University Library, was committee chair.

The University already is acting on recommendations to build additional parking, Corts noted. A new lot south of Seibert Stadium should be completed by early November, and plans are being finalized for a new parking pavilion to be constructed next to the Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center. The new pavilion will serve special events and will be available during normal daytime hours as a "user-pay parking spot of last resort," Corts added.

The University's campus safety office already has begun efforts for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and parking zones for students and employees, based on another committee recommendation.

Other recommendations are being reviewed for possible implementation by the University's facilities services division and student affairs division, which includes the campus safety office. University officials said factors such as space feasibility, staffing implications and financial costs would impact decisions on other recommendations.

In addition to the 15 recommendations made to University administration, the committee reported on eight additional suggestions that had come from students or employees but were not feasible or were being studied by other committees or offices on the campus.